In the rural heartlands of Burkina Faso, the once-quiet fields of the Comoé Basin are now humming with a different kind of activity, cashew farming, processing, and opportunity.
What started in 2017 as a vision to blend climate action with poverty reduction has blossomed into a nationally recognized success story, bringing income, dignity, and jobs to thousands, particularly women and youth.
The Cashew Development Support Project in the Comoé Basin for REDD+ (PADA/REDD+), completed in 2024, has not only revived the country’s third-largest agricultural export, cashew nuts but also become a model for sustainable rural transformation across West Africa.
At the core of this transformation is a simple but powerful idea: combine ecological resilience with economic empowerment. Backed by $5.39 million in financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and its concessional window, the African Development Fund, the project’s total cost of $8.82 million was shared with the government and local communities.
The result? A remarkable 95% implementation rate and impact across three regions which Cascades, Hauts Bassins, and the South-West.
Turning Trees into Livelihoods: A Green Revolution for All
One of the project’s biggest triumphs lies in agroforestry, a method that integrates tree planting with agricultural crops to boost biodiversity and fight climate change. Through this, over 1.6 million improved cashew seedlings were planted, giving rise to 27,000 hectares of new cashew orchards, one-third of which are now maintained by women.
Adama Patrick Sombié, a cashew processor from Bérégadougou, recalls the transformation:
“Before the project, there were no cashew tree parks in the village, only forest and a few scattered orchards. When they offered plots, I signed up and received two hectares. Now I’m part of a value chain that sustains my family.”
More than 35,000 producers, including over 6,000 women, were trained in organic farming and modern processing techniques, helping them not only grow more but grow better.
Access to Finance Unlocks Dreams
For decades, one of the biggest roadblocks to agribusiness growth in Burkina Faso was the lack of financing. That changed with PADA/REDD+, which worked closely with local microfinance institutions like the Caisses populaires to design low-interest loan products tailored for cashew farmers and processors.
Through this initiative, over 100 micro-projects were funded, injecting 888 million CFA francs (approx. $500,000) into the local economy. In total, the project created 9,580 green jobs, 93% of which went to women, a massive step toward inclusive economic development.
For women like Aramatou Barro in Diéri, the project has been life-changing:
“This project is a blessing for us. Thanks to the income, we send our children to school and afford healthcare. Before, we sold cashew at rock-bottom prices. Now, with our own processing units, we control the value chain.”
Modernizing the Sector: From Field to Factory
With funding from the project, seven cashew processing units were modernized, including a new plant—Tensya—established in the commune of Toussiana. The project also delivered 12 trucks, 45 tricycles, three new warehouses (one reserved for women), and built a shelling center exclusively for women in Diéri.
Christiane Koné, another processor in Toussiana, shared her joy:
“Thanks to the project, we bought six automatic shelling machines. They’re twice as fast as our old manual tables.”
Transporter Isso Kindo from Bobo-Dioulasso highlighted the impact on logistics:
“Before, I struggled to move even small loads. Now, with the truck provided by the project, I can transport up to 60 tonnes of nuts.”
Building Futures, One Nut at a Time
By investing in value chains, the project empowered rural entrepreneurs like Arzouma Zougouri from Orodara, who expanded his cashew business dramatically:
“The support helped me equip my processing unit. I’ve gone from 200 to 300 employees. That’s more families lifted out of poverty.”
To institutionalize these gains, the project also helped 96 cooperatives comply with OHADA business laws and implemented environmental management plans to ensure long-term sustainability.
A Model for the Region
As climate change and youth unemployment continue to challenge Africa’s development, PADA/REDD+ offers a replicable blueprint. It not only increased Burkina Faso’s cashew exports but also helped sequester carbon, trained thousands, and proved that green jobs are not just a dream, they are already transforming lives.
By linking climate goals with inclusive economic growth, the project stands as a compelling example for West Africa and beyond.
“We didn’t just plant trees; we planted futures,” one project coordinator said. “This is what climate-smart development looks like.”
